Environnement

Onimiki project is supported by the Témiscamingue community and the Kebaowek First Nations. Wolf Lake and Pekuakamiulnuatsh. It is a project that respects the responsible development values of each partner.

Over the past few months, Onimiki Renewable Energy has worked to propose an improved project that responds to several environmental concerns submitted to it.

Due to the revision of the Onimiki project, a new project notice will be filed this spring in the environmental assessment register of the ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs.

Environmental inventories were carried out during the summer of 2023. A new series of investigation will be carried out during the summer of 2024. The objective is to document all environmental aspects for the “impact study” which should be submitted in the summer of 2025. This data will ensure that all impacts are known and that mitigation measures are proposed if necessary.

Several themes will be addressed in the impact study, including water quality, effects on aquatic fauna and greenhouse gas emissions, without forgetting the impact on the human environment. Mitigation and/or corrective measures will be proposed if necessary.

The development of the project must be done in accordance with all activities in the area (tourism, recreational, sporting, etc.)

The impact study should be available in the summer of 2025. The evaluation process of the MELCCFP will begin thereafter.

Gordon Creek

The hydroelectric potential on Gordon Creek has already been exploited in the past. The upstream watercourse is made up of several lakes (du Moulin, Tee, Jadot, aux Brochets). The Onimiki project does not anticipate any change in the level of flow from Kipawa Dam (approximately 13 cubic meters per second). The project will have no impact on water quality.

Kipawa Lake

Lake Kipawa will continue to be managed according to current management agreements. The water level of the lake will therefore remain the same as it is currently.

Agreements exist with the CEHQ (Centre d’expertise hydrique du Québec) to lower the normal level of Lake Kipawa by 40 cm during the lake trout spawning period. This agreement aims to promote the survival of eggs during the winter tidal range.

Onimiki Renewable Energy will respect all agreements in force.

Kipawa River

Part of the current flow currently flowing into the Kipawa River would flow towards Nadeau and Thiriot lakes towards the Onimiki North generating station.

The effects of the proposed change will be clearly stated in the impact study.

An aesthetic flow and an ecological flow would be maintained in the river. Onimiki Renewable Energy will also document the different flow rates of the Great Falls. These flow rates will be determined when the impact study is carried out.

Nadeau and Thiriot Lake

The development of the Onimiki North power station provides that Nadeau and Thiriot lakes will be linked together to transport water. Areas will be partially exposed. The project would not result in any major flooding. Small streams also flow in the area. Environmental inventories will be carried out during the summer of 2024 to collect reliable data on which to base ourselves.